Gary Louis Sims

Gary Louis Sims, age 42, of Austin, Minnesota, passed away on Friday, August 5, 2022, at his home in Austin. Gary was born on May 27, 1980, in Davenport, Iowa, to Kenneth and Mary (Sass) Sims. He was baptized at the Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Austin.

Survivors include his mother, Mary Sims of Austin, MN; sister, Jennifer (Matt) Potonick of Mankato, MN; nieces and nephew, Rachel (Cody) Maciosek, Ella Potonick, and Elliot Potonick. Aunts; Judy Weinberger, Darlene Binner, Gloria Florin, Betty Karr, Sharon Seemann, Hazel Thompson. Uncles; Melvin Sims, Glen Sims, Charles Sims, Gary Sims, and Honorary Uncle, Greg Zabel; and many loving and caring cousins.

Gary was blessed with a bevy of "Aunties" who loved him beyond words; Shar Zabel, Kim Harvieux, Jackie Stevens, Kathy Sedivec, Cia Bullemer, Deb Mueller, Dawn McGrath, Sid Starnes, Vickie Wise, Barb Busch Hanson, Sue Schadeck, Tracy Heaser.

Gary's life was filled with special needs and special gifts. His sweet ways and easy-going nature touched many people. He simply was an Earth Angel. After his father died in early 2021, his mother needed help caring for him. Tracy Heaser became his very special Care Provider, and the two of them loved each other very much. Along with Donna Dietrich, who was his Personal Care Assistant and was his special friend. Both of them made a significant difference in his life, and we'll be forever grateful to you both. He was the joy and love of his parent’s life.

Oh, and we mustn't forget something very important, Gary's love for vacuum cleaners!

He was preceded in death by his father, Kenneth Sims; grandparents, Louis and Evelyn Sass and Theodore and Gladys Sims; uncles, Donald Sass and Floyd Sims; aunt, Linda Sims; and cousin, Keith Sass.

Thank you to Gary's PCP Angela Chisholm who took such good care of him and the family these last several years. We would also like to thank St. Croix Hospice, who were so amazing and supportive as well as Austin's Mayo Health System who all took wonderful care of Gary during his last days, special thanks to Angela and Maddie. His mother and family will always be so grateful.